How many times have you tried to give feedback that totally falls flat?
Shortly after I joined Google to lead online sales and operations for AdSense in 2004, I gave a presentation to Google’s CEO and founders on the performance of AdSense. Despite the fact that AdSense was doing well, and even though my boss, Sheryl Sandberg, was sitting next to me in a show of support, I felt nervous. Luckily, we had a good story to tell: The business was growing at an unprecedented rate. As I looked around the room, I caught the eye of Google CEO Eric Schmidt, whose head had snapped out of his computer when I’d declared how many new customers had signed up in the past month. I’d distracted him from his email — a triumph! “How many did you say?” he asked. I repeated the number, and he almost fell out of his chair.
I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. After I finished, I felt that mix of euphoria and relief that follows a successful presentation. My boss was waiting for me by the door and I half expected a high five. Instead, she asked if I’d walk back to her office with her. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. Something hadn’t gone well.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2018 de Entrepreneur Magazine South Africa.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 2018 de Entrepreneur Magazine South Africa.
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